Isaac Hayes passed away today. I owe him as much as I do Dylan. If Bob Dylan opened my eyes, Isaac Hayes shocked me awake. Motown came rappin' at my door, Isaac Hayes kicked it down.

I was in college. Isaac just won an Academy Award for his song Shaft. He was on tour and came to my town. This was the most Black Power, the most Soul, the most contemporary musical energy a little white Pennsylvania town had ever seen. Not even the Angelic Gospel Choir that toured with Lenny Kanovitch's Polka Band came close.

As school newspaper photographer and yearbook editor, I assigned myself the task of shooting Mr. Hayes. His associate/bodyguard would not let me near him. I didn't argue. This man was several times bigger than me, from another world, and he carried a gun. I saw it when he unbuttoned his sports jacket to sit down. It was the first time in my life I saw a pistol on someone who wasn't a police officer. I sat and waited.

The concert began, the band played. A door opened and out marched royal courtiers with the King close on their heels. He was robed and bejeweled, sparkling in gold. I was wide-eyed, slack-jawed, and frozen to my seat. Nothing in my isolated little life had prepared me for this. They rushed by and were gone. They were on the stage, I was behind it. Lights changed and the crowd roared.

Unsure what to do, I just stood there. The bodyguard's hand gestured toward the stage stairs. I looked up at him, dimwittedly I am sure. A crescendo of music rose and I heard him say, "You're the only one allowed on stage. Don't get in the way and don't get out front." My final judgment day will not be as exciting as that moment.

I will share just two things about that event: Isaac's music poured through me, annealing my soul and nailing my feet to the floor. He had me, I was his. Second, on stage with Isaac was his wife, who to this day is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She was the first woman I ever saw with a shaven head. She was the goddess Isis, he the Ethiopian King. For a few brief hours, I was in court with royalty.

Time passed and I learned of all the songs he wrote or co-wrote for other people. I always felt as if Isaac Hayes soul spread throughout the land and I was lucky enough to come to the bank and have a sip. Thank you Isaac. Farewell.